Page 22 of A Wife for the Highland Villain
“Aye,” Daisy said brightly. “The Laird picked it out. He picked out most of the dresses in the wardrobe, actually.”
“He did?”
Daisy nodded, grinning. “He said ye werenae one for frills. Told the seamstress what shades ye used to favor. Earth tones and soft lines. Said ye liked clothes that let ye move.”
“He said all of that?” Lily asked.
“Aye. I still remember the look on his face when he told us, ‘Nothing but the best for me wife.’”
Lily’s stomach grumbled at the mention ofthatword, but she had a feeling it was mostly because she was hungry.
She stared at the dress. The cut and the stitching were perfect. Even the slight dip in the neckline was modest enough for a lady. It was exactly her style.
The thought upset her.
She resisted the urge to scowl. “Of course he did.”
Daisy, still cheerful, opened the wardrobe and beckoned her over. Inside, beautiful garments of varying colors and fabrics hung neatly from wooden rods. Some were light and flowing, and others were rich and regal. There were dresses for feasts, dresses for long rides, and even simple linen gowns for lounging.
Lily’s eyes widened. “He picked out all of these?”
“Every single one,” Daisy responded. “Except, of course, the ones he returned.”
Lily’s eyes flicked to the maid. “Returned?”
“The ones he didnae like. They are back in the storehouse because he said they werenae for ye. The seamstress is sending them to the market in the morning, I think.”
Lily folded her arms, thinking. “And he bought all these already?”
“Aye, me Lady. Paid in full. The dressmaker said she’d never had a client so… demanding.”
Lily turned away from the wardrobe and slowly walked back to the tub. “Daisy.”
“Aye, me Lady?”
“Would ye be a dear and bring me the ones he didnae choose?”
The maid blinked. “The—what, from the storehouse?”
“Aye.”
“But me Lady… he spent hours picking these for ye. Would ye nae rather wear what he thought was best?”
Lily shook her head, already tugging at the laces of her corset. “I would rather wear what I choose.”
“But the Laird?—”
“Daenae worry, Daisy,” Lily said, pulling her gown off her shoulders and stepping behind the changing screen. “The dresses are already paid for, are they nae? I’d simply rather have the ones he didnae think were good for me, that is all.”
Daisy hesitated but nodded slowly. “Aye. I’ll go fetch them. It might take a bit of time.”
“Take yer time,” Lily called, stepping out from behind the screen in her shift. “Nay rush.”
As Daisy slipped out of the room, Lily finally allowed herself to exhale. Alone.
She walked slowly to the tub, her bare feet warming against the thick rug beneath her. Steam curled up invitingly from the surface. She dipped one toe in. The temperature was just right.
With a sigh, she shed her shift and lowered herself into the water.
